Here's your guide to what's happening in Birmingham this St Patrick's Week. If we have missed anything, please comment below...
Wednesday, March 12
St Patrick’s Festival at Hennessey’s
From the 11th to 14th March family owned Irish watering hole Hennessey’s will be showing Cheltenham live, with food and drink specials and big screens so you won’t miss any of the action. See www.hennesseysbar.com for details
A collective of Birmingham Schools
Music, Dance and Drama night. 6pm - 9pm, Custard Factory Auditorium, Digbeth - Free Event
Whisky Tasting Night
A selection of Irish Whiskeys and a talk - includes a serving of delicious Irish stew.
7pm - The Old Crown, Digbeth, £15
Thursday, March 13
An evening of Storytelling:
Keeping with the parade’s theme of Irish Myths and Legends, you are invited to come along and tell your stories.
8pm - The Spotted Dog, Digbeth - Free Event
Irish Poetry Night
A night of Irish poems hosted by the Irish in Birmingham. 7:30pm - The Old Crown - Free event
The Hurling Boys
Four Piece acoustic band. 8pm, St Mary's, Harbourne - £6
Friday, March 14
The Old Crown in Digbeth
In the heart of the Irish quarter is serving some good, hearty Irish stew to prepare you for an evening of sampling some great Irish whiskeys in the company of Pernod Ricard's Irish whiskey ambassador, Stephen Carberry. The Old Crown’s in-house expert will be talking through each whiskey, its history and its flavours with Jameson Gold, Jameson Select Reserve, Power’s John’s Lane, a 12 year old Redbreast and Greenspot to savour.
7:00pm, The Old Crown, 188 High Street, Birmingham. Tickets are £10 each, call 0121 248 1368 or see http://www.theoldcrown.com
Saturday, March 15
Shaping the Archive of Irish in Birmingham
A discussion panel to consider how Irish people in Birmingham are currently represented in archive, how this could be strengthened and the contribution the Irish community can make to the process. Runs from 2-4pm in the Library of Birmingham. Free event. All are welcome.
Lampa
A young Birmingham band playing live traditional and contemporary music. From 8pm - Hennessey's Bar, Digbeth, Free Event
Sunday, March 16
Mass
Celebrating St Patrick. 10am - St Anne's Church, Digbeth
St Patrick’s Parade
This year’s parade, themed Irish Myths and Legends will feature an Irish dragon leading the parade of Pipe and drum bands, local schools, floats, vintage motorbikes, classic cars and steam engines. A children's entertainment area with magicians, face painting and craft area and an Irish Village to explore. 12 noon - 2pm, from Camphill to Digbeth – Free Event.
South and City College Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Food, drink, fun and entertainment will be order of the day on SCCB’s campus. Motorcity String Band, a four piece made up of a banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass player will kick things off with a half hour set at 1.30pm. Five piece Birmingham band Lampa are up from 2.15pm- 3pm with a mix of traditional and contemporary Irish music and The Father Teds will finish the show from 3.15-4pm.
South and City College Birmingham,
Digbeth campus, Free Event. www.southandcity.com
